Minnesota lawmakers debate bill banning transgender inmates from women’s prison

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota House lawmakers are taking on the question of whether transgender inmates should be incarcerated in the state’s prison system. 

A bill authored by Alexandria Republican Rep. Mary Franson looks to ban transgender inmates from the state’s only women’s prison in Shakopee. Franson says she’s concerned about the safety of women in the prison and thinks transgender women inmates should be housed in a men’s prison. 

Opponents say the bill is harmful to incarcerated transgender women, who are subject to sexual abuse, violence, harassment, and increased risk of suicide and self-harm in male facilities.